益证
原文
使我介然有知,行于大道,唯施是畏。大道甚夷,而民好径。朝甚除,田甚芜,仓甚虚;服文彩,带利剑,厌饮食,财货有馀;是谓盗夸。非道也哉!
王弼注
使我介然有知,行于大道,唯施是畏。言若使我可介然有知,行大道于天下,唯施为之是畏也。大道甚夷,而民好径。言大道荡然正平,而民犹尚舍之而不由,好从邪径,况复施为以塞大道之中乎。故曰,大道甚夷,而民好径。朝甚除,朝,宫室也。除,洁好也。田甚芜,仓甚虚;朝甚除,则田甚芜,仓甚虚,设一而众害生也。服文彩,带利剑,厌饮食,财货有馀;是为夸盗。非道也哉!凡物不以其道得之则皆邪也,邪则盗也。夸而不以其道得之,窃位也,故举非道以明非道,则皆盗夸也。
英文 · James Legge
(Increase of evidence) If I were suddenly to become known, and (put into a position to) conduct (a government) according to the Great Dao, what I should be most afraid of would be a boastful display. The great Dao (or way) is very level and easy; but people love the by-ways. Their court(-yards and buildings) shall be well kept, but their fields shall be ill-cultivated, and their granaries very empty. They shall wear elegant and ornamented robes, carry a sharp sword at their girdle, pamper themselves in eating and drinking, and have a superabundance of property and wealth; - such (princes) may be called robbers and boasters. This is contrary to the Dao surely!